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This refers to an article dated May 1, 2006 by Maleeha Lodhi, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in UK, in prominent Indian print media. It is not difficult to fathom the real reason for Lodhi’s miscomprehension of Indo-Pak equation. Lodhi erroneously believes that Indo-Pak relations are going from strength to strength due to unprecedented civilian interactions, peace dialogues, CBMs, etc. and this will usher into an early ‘solution of vexed Kashmir problem’, verily the sine qua non for any worthwhile Indo-Pak friendship.
   God only knows when Pakistan and its diplomats will realise that for the time being there is no solution to Kashmir problem due to (1) Hindu-majority India is simply not interested in retrieving Muslim-majority Pakistan-controlled Kashmir whereas Pakistan does not have adequate military power to snatch remaining Muslim-majority Kashmir from India; (2) after independence Kashmir solution was India’s burden but after terrorist activities in Kashmir valley for the last 15 years in which almost one hundred thousand have already lost their lives, to solve the Kashmir issue has now become not only the burden of Pakistan but also the continuous source of fatigue for Pakistan, to India’s glee; (3) India is reconciled to paying the price of some lives here and there in terrorist (mostly Kashmir problem-related groups) attacks all over India.
   Hence instead of running in futility after the mirage of Kashmir solution Pakistan ought to guard itself from unnecessarily inviting one more headache, namely the recent Indo-US nuclear deal. In his article Lodhi advocates for a package approach by India and Pakistan in order to avert nuclear arm race in South Asia and envisages stable nuclear relationship, for normal relations between India and Pakistan – an euphemism for parity.
   If the statement of US President George Bush on Indian soil during his recent visit that India, the largest functioning democracy of the world, is now a strategic ally of USA is any indication then Pakistan will be well advised not to waste its time and energy on the impossible daydream of nuclear parity with India. It should instead try to strive for ‘global nuclear disarmament’ which is feasible and will not only equalise Pakistan with India in nuclear field but will also give a salutary chance to Pakistan for acquiring global leadership for the noble cause of protecting civilians (including children, women and aged) from these weapons of mass destruction which are likely to be used by misguided and the so-called martial element of the mankind.
   Hem Raj Jain
   New Delhi, India

Indian investor Tata group has recently submitted a revised proposal of US$3 billion investment for a fertilizer project in Bangladesh. The proposal is very tempting and acceptable for our country’s development. The government is negotiating for the correct gas price in the context of international gas price. But the question is: do we really need foreign investment in such projects which will vastly consume our natural gas?
   It is well-known that we have an adequate gas reserve and according to the experts, that reserve will sustain up to 2025. Gas is a natural and non-renewable resource and we should ensure sustainable use of our natural resources for overall development of the country. Our strategy must focus on future demand of gas and how we would cope up when there will be no gas reserve available.
   In Bangladesh, most households in the northern and western parts do not have access to gas and they are dependent on forests or other alternative sources for fuel. This poses tremendous pressure on forest resources and also causes vital financial setback to many poor people. Yet, the government does not seem to have any future plan or have expressed any concern over providing gas access throughout the country for every family. Accepting proposals from foreign investors would be appropriate only after fulfilling the local gas demand.
   People of this country have the primary right on their resources, not the foreign investors. If we can develop and implement a balanced way of using our natural resources that will be more beneficial in the long run than the limited foreign currency earned from foreign investors. This practice will reduce dependency on foreign organisations as well.
   If we try to ensure various uses of natural gas that will also create thousands of jobs and develop new technologies. Use of natural gas as transport fuel (CNG-Compressed Natural Gas) is a very good example in this context. But this project is also facing many obstacles due to lack of smooth gas supply.
   Our economy is vastly dependent on foreign aid which has negative impact on the economic growth and development of the country. We have to put trust on ourselves and formulate our own strategy for real development. This may put us in trouble at the initial stage but will help us build a self-reliant Bangladesh in the near future.
   Once our finance minister very rightly pointed out that we have to be self-sufficient by using our own resources rather than depend on foreign aid.
   Md Habibur Rahman
   On e-mail